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PEDC Board Meeting Minutes <br />September 4, 2018 <br />Page 2 of 3 <br />south end of the Loop. Mr. Paris explained that the reason some months have higher amounts for the <br />Marketing category is because these are prospects that have not committed to Paris. If a prospect chooses <br />Paris, those charges will be taken out of Marketing and moved to the project costs. Mr. Hernandez stated <br />that the rest of the expenditures for the month were normal expenditures. Dr. Hashmi made a motion to <br />accept the July 2018 financials. Mr. Hernandez seconded the motion. Vote was 3 -ayes to 0 -nays. <br />Discuss possible collaboration with Lamar County Appraisal District and the possible purchase or <br />lease of the old Capital One Building. Possibly approve the Executive Director to seek out City <br />Council's possible approval to explore this opportunity with the Lamar County Appraisal District. <br />Mr. Manning started the discussion stating that we are asking for Board approval to explore the options, <br />along with the Lamar County Appraisal District; on the purchase of the Capital One bank building. We <br />would like to look into all the costs associated with the building. Mr. Hernandez asked if this was for us to <br />buy the building and rent out a portion of it. The next question Mr. Hernandez had, is this normal for <br />EDCs to use their funds to purchase buildings. He said lie was in favor of buying a building to <br />accommodate the PEDC, but not for other entities. Mr. Paris said that research will need to be done since <br />the operating costs and the rehab costs to the building are unknown. Dr. Hashmi commented that the <br />PEDC is not in the business of buying buildings to rent them out. He stated that it is a bad idea. Mr. <br />Manning said that that PEDC needs a better location and he would like to explore the possibilities. Mr. <br />Hernandez would like to see a location in the downtown that would meet our needs for the next ten years. <br />Mr. Manning voiced his opinion that it would be good to explore the options. Dr. Hashmi made a motion <br />to oppose it. Mr. Paris stated that he hears the opposition from the Board for going to City Council at this <br />point. <br />Discuss a public private partnership between the Cox Airport hangar leasors, City of Paris and <br />PEDC to help financiaUy support the construction of taxi ways for new hangar construction. <br />Mr. Paris stated that a citizen was approved by the FAA for the development of a new hangar at Cox <br />Field. The taxiway would need to be developed. When talking to the City Manager, John Godwin, and the <br />lessee we discussed a public private partnership to develop a taxiway. He asked for the Board's input on <br />the idea of a three way partnership between the lessee, the City of Paris and the Paris Economic <br />Development. Dr. Hashmi asked what the benefit to the PEDC would be. Mr. Godwin clarified that we <br />have an opportunity to build an extensive taxiway on the northeast side of the airport. There are two <br />people ready to sign ground leases and to build large hangars at their own expense. Mr. Paris asked for <br />approval to research the costs involved and bring it back to the Board for more discussion. Mr. Manning <br />gave the Board's nod to explore the costs of a taxiway. <br />Discuss and possibly approve a formation of an advisory group to help with prospective lead <br />development and suggestions for strategic planning for the PEDC. <br />Dr. Hashmi stated that there were qualified people that did not get chosen for the PEDC Board. He would <br />like to see members of the community join in discussions with the PEDC. There would be benefit to have <br />those who were not chosen to serve on the Board to join us as an advisory group. Mr. Paris said that a <br />larger advisory group that met twice a year could be very useful. Mr. Manning commented that this would <br />be good for a report card. Dr. Hashmi suggested sending out invitations to those who were not chosen for <br />Board appointments to come to our meetings. Mr. Manning asked that we think about how we could make <br />this work. <br />